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Legislative Informational Alert
January 6, 2009
Preparing for the state budget

In this morning's State of the State address, the Governor said he will "protect education funding"  in the budget he will present on Friday. In doing so, he acknowledged that investing in education is an investment in the future.


It is imperative that additional cuts not be imposed on schools or children's programs in this year's budget. In the past two years, $17 billion has been cut from school budgets, cuts that are disproportionate to those made in other program areas of the state budget. Additional cuts to social services have added to the budget burden borne by our state's children and families.


We are encouraged by the Governor's initial message about the budget, and we will begin analyzing the details of his proposal on Friday when it is released. The needs of California's children and families are great, and we will be diligent in holding the Governor to his commitment to protect funding.


We all know that this year's budget will require tough choices. But it also gives our legislators the opportunity to do something brave and rare - to put the next generation above the next election.


We will be watching the budget process unfold in the coming days and months. Among the points to keep in mind as this occurs are the following. 

  • Any additional cuts to education and children's health and social services   programs will only dig our state deeper into the hole we need to climb out of, and delay our economic recovery.

  • As tough as times are, a balanced approach that includes additional revenues  is the only responsible way to tackle the state's deficit.

  • New cuts to schools would run counter to educational policy reforms being advanced by the Governor and legislators as part of the state's application for federal Race to the top (RTTT) funds. We really can't race to the top in education if we sink to the bottom in our investment in children.

  • Investing in education is an effective investment in the future. A recent RAND Institute report underscores the significant taxpayer benefits of a highly educated citizenry in increases income-tax revenues to the state and decreased state expenditures on support services and incarceration.

  • Californians understand the connection between investment and performance. According to a survey conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California, 65 percent of Californians believe that additional funding for education would lead to higher quality.

 

Race to the Top update


Two bills that are part of the state's application for federal Race to the Top (RTTT) funds were headed to the senate floor today. California State PTA has been actively involved in informing the legislative debate about Race to the Top.


While we did not take a formal position on the final bills because they were completely amended on Monday night, we have fully supported California's intention to submit a competitive application for RTTT funds. We believe the opportunity to develop such an application has focused much-needed dialogue on key education reforms that can benefit students, such as improving the state's data system, recruiting and retaining excellent educators and school leaders, and turning around chronically underperforming schools. The legislation expected to be signed into law helps advance these goals.


Because the funding available through Race to the Top is one-time only, we urge state legislators and the Governor to make no further state budget cuts to education and children's programs in the coming year, to further demonstrate the state's commitment to strengthening our public education system and California's most vulnerable population.

 

To read some key points on RTTT, click here.

 

We will continue to follow these issues and others that are crucial to the well-being of all of California's children. Visit our website to learn more, at www.capta.org.